Richards to begin testing injured elbow

ANAHEIM — Angels right-hander Garrett Richards’ decision to have stem-cell injections continues to yield promising results, as an ultrasound taken Wednesday revealed more progressive healing on the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

Richards, who received the injection as a means of avoiding Tommy John surgery that would knock him out for this season and next year, has been cleared by doctors to begin a series of stress tests on his elbow. He will receive another ultrasound in the next 10-14 days to see if the exercises did any damage, and if all goes well, he will be cleared to throw a baseball for the first time since his May 6 diagnosis. Richards originally opted for the surgery before deciding on the stem-cell injection and undergoing the procedure on May 17.

“In my gut, I felt like I was OK, but again, you don’t know anything until you see an image,” Richards said. “After having it imaged and having the results, I like where it’s at. There’s still work to be done, but it is healing and it is moving in the right direction.”

Richards said he has continued to lift weights and exercise with the elbow since suffering the injury and has been pain-free. He will now work on exercises that focus on the internal rotation of his elbow, mimicking the action of throwing a baseball and putting the elbow under stress.

Angels general manager Billy Eppler said Dr. Steve Yoon, who …

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